No-fuss festivity

By the stem

Amaryllis flowers include both single and double forms and 2- to 10-inch flowers. These cut blooms of (from left) ‘Nymph’, ‘Apple Blossom’ and ‘Picotee’ naturally shine on a moss-lined green shutter. Snip when buds just start to unfurl. Cut amaryllis lasts up to two weeks if you trim the stems every few days to assist water absorption. Slide a thin dowel inside the hollow stem for support, and plug the base with a wet cotton ball, which draws water to keep the flower moist.

Lantern light

Deck the banister

Natural birch branches form the backbone of this project (but you could use redtwig dogwood or other branches). For added drama, cut the branches longer so they're taller than your banister, or include more bunches. Use thin florist's wire to lash them to the banister posts along with evergreens (in this case, noble fir) and twigs of bright red winterberries. Matte and glossy chartreuse ornaments add another dimension. Tie it all back with a velvet chartreuse ribbon. Making a bow is optional.

Natural wreath

Wood slices make a pretty, natural-looking and long-lasting wreath. Glue 20 wood slices to the front of a flat wooden wreath form, putting 10 on the first layer and 10 on the second, with the top layer arranged so the slices partially overlap the ones on the bottom. Glue burlap and wire-edged ribbon onto part of the wreath and cover with pinecones, artificial berries and greenery. Attach ribbon to hang.

Nonstop color

Eye-catching amaryllis bulbs dipped in colored wax mark a new trend; look for them at garden centers or online. The coating restricts root growth so plants are shorter than average and live just one season, but serious advantages include a fresh presentation style and no need for water, sunlight, soil or the proverbial green thumb. Of course, the traditional method of growing bulbs in glass forcing vases continues to appeal with classic beauty and repeat seasons.

Bright spot

Bring a woodland scene inside. Gather bare branches from the garden, and arrange them in a narrow glass vase filled with artificial snow. More “snow” (cotton tufts) drifts on branches. Cardinals alight as if to gather the bright berries that we cut from faux sprays and wired on. Give the birds another landing spot with a nest on the sill.

Pine fresh

Good to grow

Amaryllis turns heads with its bold midwinter flowers. Group different types of amaryllises for a striking display. This tableau includes, from left, ‘Summertime’; budding ‘Faro’, which will open with a green eye in a white starburst on salmon petals; and the spider-flower cybister variety ‘Evergreen’.

Place-setting ideas

Wrap candles with fat velvet ribbon attached with pearl-headed pins; place them at each seat. See the previous slide for how this look fits into a nature-theme place setting, with white-tipped pinecones atop napkins and tiny crystal vases holding single sprigs of hydrangea.

Pineapple tower

Why let your garden urns sit vacant all winter? Cut or buy a floral foam cone to stack on top of the urn. Slice the point off the cone to make a flat base where you'll attach the pineapple later. Building from the bottom up, attach evergreens by tucking the twig ends into the foam. Near the base, use floral picks to attach a row of oranges decorated with cloves. Halfway up the cone, attach pomegranates using floral picks. A row of orange halves runs three-quarters of the way up, with pinecones forming a base for a whole pineapple attached with floral picks.

The first 10 creations in this slideshow, including this tower, were a collaboration between Midwest Living and Botanicals Inc. in Chicago.

Bedeck worn-out boots

Have a pair of winter boots you don't wear? Dress them up with twigs, greens and ribbon for a welcoming display.

To protect boots, line with plastic bags. Add rocks in the foot to keep the boots from tipping. Insert twigs and small evergreen branches. Tie ribbon around each boot, tucking a sprig of evergreen in the bow.

Ice shards

Tower of apples

Green apples are the perfect hue for an easy Christmas display. Fill a glass jar with apples; mix in loose greens for a wintry feel. Place container on a beveled edge mirror (that serves as a table runner). Fill in with additional greens, ball ornaments and candles of different sizes.

Touch of glass

Photo display

Stems with just a few leaves or berries make natural holders for family photographs. Tie branches with twine and add evergreen tassels; insert photos in the branches, clipping them on if needed to hold in place.

Tie twigs

A bundle of brown twigs makes a great hanging decoration to put on a door or above a mantel. To secure, wrap a wide rubber band around twig ends. Tuck one branch of greens, such as eucalyptus, inside the rubber band for color. Cover the rubber band with a ribbon.

Fruit fillers

Place pillar candles, evergreen branches, pinecones and clementines on a beveled-edge mirror for a nature-inspired tabletop arrangement. Don't like orange? Bring in green pears or red apples for traditional holiday color.

Vase and garland ideas

Vases of Red: Carry a theme throughout your decor by using variations of similar materials. We filled clear glass vases of varying shapes and sizes with red flowers and berries, using only one type per vase: amaryllis, winterberry or tulips. The winterberry branches are strong enough to support a few small ornaments.

Fresh Garland: For an alternative to evergreens, make garlands from fresh bells of Ireland. Cut 1-inch sections of the stalks, which have green florets. The hollow stalks are the tubes through which you thread string or yarn. Fresh florets last about a day. When dry, push flowers together.

Flower "presents"

These cute packages take time, but they're easy to make. Cut a block of floral foam into the size you wish. Cut the heads off chartreuse 'Kermit' button mums. Stick a pearl-headed pin through the center of each flower to secure it to the foam. Wrap red velvet ribbon around the finished package, or just add a bow on top. The flowers stay fresh for about three days.

Cranberry flower cylinders

Start with cylinders of varying heights. Place red flowers, such as roses and amaryllises, and greenery in a metal flower frog. Attach the frog inside the cylinder using double-sided florist's tape. Cover the flowers with water, float cranberries on top and place a floating candle amid the berries. Change water daily. The piece should last up to seven days.

Display your favorites

Turn a shallow basket or tray into a fun arrangement for your dining or coffee table. We arranged rows of feathery moss, smooth stones, green apples and spiky pinecones, but use what's easily available to you: other fruits or vegetables, ornaments or bits of nature.